dnata Travel and VisitBritain partner to showcase Britain’s cities and countryside to GCC travellers in 2024

Dubai, UAE, 8^th May 2024: Dubai-based dnata Travel, the UAE’s original travel agency and VisitBritain, Britain’s national tourism agency, have partnered to promote new destination packages with exciting experiences and extended itineraries to attract travellers across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) to discover more of Britain in 2024 and beyond.

With a growing presence across the GCC, dnata Travel has consistently reported the UK as one of the top ten international travel destinations for its travellers since its inception 65 years ago. As part of its new campaign with VisitBritain, dnata Travel is launching bespoke packages and rates focused on the themes of its research – including cities, coast and countryside, and multi-destination travel itineraries – ahead of the peak summer travel period.

Based on VisitBritain research conducted in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Britain was perceived as the top mid to long-haul destination for travellers – leading the USA, France, Italy, and Switzerland. VisitBritain’s research also shows that visitors from the GCC market rate Britain highly for having ‘beautiful coasts and countryside to explore,’ ‘a thriving arts and contemporary culture scene’, ‘a place where I can explore history and heritage’, and as ‘good for seeing famous sites and places’.

Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure at dnata Travel, commented: “The UK has always represented one of our most popular international destinations for GCC travellers, including across the summer months of 2023. London has typically been the destination of choice, so we are excited to bring a different side of the UK closer to our travellers this year based on VisitBritain’s research findings. The launch of the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is also a huge benefit for GCC nationals – making travel to the UK more accessible than ever before.”

Carol Maddison, Deputy Director Middle East, and Asia at VisitBritain, added: “The GCC is a very important visitor source market for the UK with visitors forecast to spend £3 billion this year. With the launch of the ETA and strong airline capacity, travel to the UK is more affordable, accessible, and seamless for visitors from the Gulf. Working with dnata Travel, we are highlighting the breadth of exciting experiences and destinations waiting for GCC visitors here in Britain, not just in London but across the nations and regions. From surfing along our wild coastlines to experiencing our breathtaking landscapes or our bustling, vibrant cities, we’re showing that there is always more to explore in Britain.”

Taking on board the findings from VisitBritain’s extensive GCC-based research over recent years, dnata Travel’s new UK travel itineraries focus on:

• Wild coastlines and charming countryside, including the Lake District, Northumberland, and the Cotswolds in England, as well as highlights of the Scottish Highlands.
• Arts and culture, from Shakespeare's Birthplace in Stratford-Upon-Avon to a tour of Liverpool, a UNESCO City of Music and home of The Beatles.
• History and heritage, deep-rooted in the history of their namesake capital cities, this includes the iconic Tower of London and Edinburgh Castle.
• Famous sites and places, including Manchester’s impressive football stadiums and trip to Scotland’s scenic Cairngorms National Park – a setting for blockbuster movies.

To explore UK city breaks, multi-destination itineraries and more from VisitBritain and dnata Travel, visit www.dnataTravel.com. For more travel advice and inspiration, contact the dnata Travel experts via call or WhatsApp on 800 DNATA (36282), on social media @dnataTravel, email holidays@dnatatravel.com, or visit a dnata Travel retail outlet, with stores located across the GCC.

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Notes to editors

For dnata Travel press inquiries, please contact:

dnata Public Relations
public.relations@dnata.com

About dnata Travel
dnata Travel is the UAE’s original travel agency with more than 60 years of experience, and a growing GCC presence. Offering the ultimate one-stop travel shop, dnata Travel’s services include flights, hotels, holidays, visas, insurance, transfers, tours, and excursions, and so much more. Its multi-channel offering includes stores across the UAE and wider GCC, dnataTravel.com, and a call centre offering 24/7 support. The experts at dnata Travel work around the clock and around the world to bring travellers the most current destination information and inspiration, as well as exclusive offers and value adds. Find out more at: www.dnatatravel.com.

For VisitBritain press inquiries, please contact:

Mirna Tamimi, Communications Manager, GCC
Email: mirna.tamimi@visitbritain.org
Mobile: +971 50 449 1338

Media website: www.visitbritain.org/media 
Asset library: www.assets.visitbritain.org  

About VisitBritain
VisitBritain is the British Tourist Authority (BTA), operating under the brand names VisitBritain and VisitEngland. As the national tourism agency, VisitBritain works to raise Britain’s profile, increase the volume and value of tourism exports and develop England’s visitor economy, working with organisations of all sizes and specialities.  VisitBritain’s role is to deliver growth for the visitor economy, inspiring visitors to explore Britain now through tourism and events.